Alewijnse has been active for 130 years in integrating electrical and automation systems within the maritime sector. For the past six years, the company has worked closely with De Gilde Groep, and we are one of their preferred suppliers. What is the secret behind this collaboration? Personal attention, flexibility, and a strong relationship built on trust.
Catalin Florea, Manager Installing & Commissioning, has held this role for three years. “When I took over my department, Alewijnse was working with 15 to 20 different staffing agencies,” he explains. “I saw that the market had changed and wanted to work with a smaller group of reliable partners instead—partners with whom we could make clear plans and build a long-term relationship.”
Flexibility as a key principle
This is important because Alewijnse operates in a very dynamic sector. When asked to sum up the collaboration in one word, Catalin is clear: “Flexibility. When I call, it gets taken care of. We often need additional skilled workers at short notice. I call my contact at De Gilde Groep, and everything is done to provide the right people at the requested time—something that almost always succeeds. Including completed administrative tasks. That, to me, is what flexibility means.”
If i call, it will be taken care of
That flexibility translates into trust. “What I appreciate is that there is never any pressure. It’s not: ‘I have people, find work for them.’ It’s: ‘When you have work, let us know, and we’ll make sure the right people are ready.’ That makes the collaboration very enjoyable.”
More than just resumes
The decision to choose De Gilde Groep as a long-term strategic partner was made in the past. “In an earlier role as a project coordinator, I already had positive experiences with De Gilde Groep. What stood out to me most was the way they approach skilled workers. They look beyond just the CV. Of course, a CV remains important, but nowadays it doesn’t tell the whole story. That’s why I appreciate that De Gilde Groep carefully screens candidates, follows up on questions, and truly verifies whether the experience matches practical requirements. That builds trust.”
At De Gilde Groep, they understand that it’s all about people
What also builds trust is the personal approach. “Employees need to feel comfortable in their roles. It’s not just about technical skills, but also about someone’s personal situation. What stands out to me is that employees first visit De Gilde Groep’s headquarters before starting on-site with us. There, they receive thorough onboarding: clothing, tools, possibly a car, and guidance on matters such as safety. This means that De Gilde Groep already observes and supports them before they start with us. I really see that as a major advantage.”
“De Gilde Groep shows how they support skilled workers, helping them feel comfortable working in a country far from their families. That really struck me. It demonstrates that they understand it’s about people, not numbers. And you can feel that in the collaboration.”
Future plans
Currently, skilled workers from De Gilde Groep are contributing to innovative projects at Alewijnse, such as the construction of a fleet of autonomous ships. They install alarm systems and handle the complete electrical installation, including distribution panels, cabling, and connections.
That’s why we need strong partners like De Gilde Groep
And the future? According to the manager, it looks promising.“Alewijnse has many major projects on the horizon. Our own installation team is large, but we cannot handle all the work on our own. That’s why we need strong partners like De Gilde Groep—partners who strengthen us through reliability, flexibility, and a personal relationship. That is the foundation of trust. And that trust is crucial in our industry.”